Wheelbrain
Active Member
I dropped by the Maryland Small Arms Range (MSAR) today. What an experience, and I mean that in a bad way.
I realize the facility doesn’t receive much love, but I utilize it as an inexpensive alternative to indoor ranges in price and outdoor ranges in unsuitable weather. That being said, I’m well aware of its flaws – most notably attracting gangsta wannabes who haven’t the slightest notion of how to operate a firearm safely (how many times they’ve muzzle swept with a rented handgun, we’ll never know) – but what I experienced today surpassed my expectations, and I likely won’t be returning.
While a friend goes to rent, me and others are plinking away, when the range lights suddenly go wild and an obviously pissed off employee enters and calls for a ceasefire. I expected the problem to be a shot target cable, but I apparently underestimated MSAR’s clientele.
Someone in the right-most lane shot a florescent lane light, sending it crashing to the floor. The staff retrieves and totes the light out, and everyone continues shooting – including, if I remember rightly and to my surprise, the shooter. Shortly thereafter, I rent a Smith & Wesson Model 64 – largely because of this thread. Immediately after I finish a cylinder (loved it!), déjà vu – staff cues the light show, and I see the Florescent Lane Light Assassin has struck again!
After the second ceasefire ended, the shooters to my left packed their equipment and left almost immediately, presumably being fed up with the lane light assassin. I think I heard yelling – hopefully an RSO to the shooter – but didn’t overhear specifics (being hard of hearing with ear protection on makes for muffled language). Whether the incompetent shooter stayed and downed another light, I don’t know – I and friends returned the rental firearms, packed our gear, and left shortly afterward.
This post isn’t intended as defamatory toward MSAR, but I certainly hope they’ll revamp their safety measures and their supervision of clearly inexperienced or confused shooters at their new facility. Considering this happened with presumably a rented handgun, the sky seems to be the limit as to what may happen if similar customers rent rifles and shotguns, if MSAR’s new location presents the opportunity.
As for how it happened – my speculation is someone fired a shot which recoiled off the (for lack of better terminology) target’s “V-clip” (the clipboard-esque mechanism holding the target) I can’t imagine someone accidentally aiming the firearm in such a manner that it directly strikes the bulb. If he managed that, it’s impressive, albeit in a bad way.
I realize MSAR isn't known for policing safety strictly with its clientele, but has anyone had similar experiences there? I've recently returned to the shooting sport and today was, without a doubt, the biggest customer eff-up I've ever personally experienced. Who knows, maybe I'd be better off at Select Fire in Glen Burnie. (Just kidding.)
I can’t pinpoint a specific time as to when everything occurred, but we were there from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. My absolute guess is approximately 10:50 – 11:20. If fellow MDshooters were there then, I was a younger guy dressed in jeans and a gray plaid shirt.
P.S. Please note this post isn't intended to be defamatory toward MSAR - my previous trips were largely positive. I’m simply sharing my best recollection of events which transpired today. If anyone has a better recollection or additional details to share or correct me with, please feel free to.
Edit: In response to treehugger's post, this was at MSAR's old location at 9311 Old Marlboro Pike. They haven't yet relocated to their new facility.
I realize the facility doesn’t receive much love, but I utilize it as an inexpensive alternative to indoor ranges in price and outdoor ranges in unsuitable weather. That being said, I’m well aware of its flaws – most notably attracting gangsta wannabes who haven’t the slightest notion of how to operate a firearm safely (how many times they’ve muzzle swept with a rented handgun, we’ll never know) – but what I experienced today surpassed my expectations, and I likely won’t be returning.
While a friend goes to rent, me and others are plinking away, when the range lights suddenly go wild and an obviously pissed off employee enters and calls for a ceasefire. I expected the problem to be a shot target cable, but I apparently underestimated MSAR’s clientele.
Someone in the right-most lane shot a florescent lane light, sending it crashing to the floor. The staff retrieves and totes the light out, and everyone continues shooting – including, if I remember rightly and to my surprise, the shooter. Shortly thereafter, I rent a Smith & Wesson Model 64 – largely because of this thread. Immediately after I finish a cylinder (loved it!), déjà vu – staff cues the light show, and I see the Florescent Lane Light Assassin has struck again!
After the second ceasefire ended, the shooters to my left packed their equipment and left almost immediately, presumably being fed up with the lane light assassin. I think I heard yelling – hopefully an RSO to the shooter – but didn’t overhear specifics (being hard of hearing with ear protection on makes for muffled language). Whether the incompetent shooter stayed and downed another light, I don’t know – I and friends returned the rental firearms, packed our gear, and left shortly afterward.
This post isn’t intended as defamatory toward MSAR, but I certainly hope they’ll revamp their safety measures and their supervision of clearly inexperienced or confused shooters at their new facility. Considering this happened with presumably a rented handgun, the sky seems to be the limit as to what may happen if similar customers rent rifles and shotguns, if MSAR’s new location presents the opportunity.
As for how it happened – my speculation is someone fired a shot which recoiled off the (for lack of better terminology) target’s “V-clip” (the clipboard-esque mechanism holding the target) I can’t imagine someone accidentally aiming the firearm in such a manner that it directly strikes the bulb. If he managed that, it’s impressive, albeit in a bad way.
I realize MSAR isn't known for policing safety strictly with its clientele, but has anyone had similar experiences there? I've recently returned to the shooting sport and today was, without a doubt, the biggest customer eff-up I've ever personally experienced. Who knows, maybe I'd be better off at Select Fire in Glen Burnie. (Just kidding.)
I can’t pinpoint a specific time as to when everything occurred, but we were there from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. My absolute guess is approximately 10:50 – 11:20. If fellow MDshooters were there then, I was a younger guy dressed in jeans and a gray plaid shirt.
P.S. Please note this post isn't intended to be defamatory toward MSAR - my previous trips were largely positive. I’m simply sharing my best recollection of events which transpired today. If anyone has a better recollection or additional details to share or correct me with, please feel free to.
Edit: In response to treehugger's post, this was at MSAR's old location at 9311 Old Marlboro Pike. They haven't yet relocated to their new facility.